Blindspott, Auckland NZ, 2018

Blindspott

8th December 2018
Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Molly O’Brien. Photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.

Kiwi nu-metal pride flooded in hoards to the community hall turned metal show stadium, a mix-matched and supportive westie family of mohawks, mullets and denim. Strangers mingled while offering lights a plenty, comparing merch and offering a shoulder to the few wobbly pre-gamed champions. A special thank you to the girl who warned me before I stepped in wee. You rock. Seriously.

Local Aucklanders Written By Wolves broke the ice with their special brand of synth accented alternative rock, suiting the bigger stage in comparison to their June headliner at K Road’s Neck Of The Woods as Written By Wolves feed off bouncing crowds, smoke machines and speakers turned up to eleven. Vocalist Michael Murphy sported his signature headband while showing off a vocal range from falsetto to invigorating screams, danceable tracks pulling interest from long merch and bar lines while their two drummers, (one traditional, one electric), intertwined.

The floor packed out at first sight of Devilskin banners, even seated attendees hanging over handrails to catch a glimpse of the Hamilton rockers. Their powerhouse vigor was sent in beams of stage light across the mosh pit, illuminating the majority of the crowd belting along to an acapella beginning of ‘Pray’, (‘Be Like The River, 2016). Paul Martin, (bass), and Nail (lead guitar), flanked the show with goatees to rival Baphomet through a wide range of tracks, from ‘Little Pills’, (2012) to new single ‘Same Life’, a song with one hell of a catchy bassline punch. Lead vocalist Jennie Skulander came equipped with a roaring chainsaw as a fourth instrument; a dangerous and thrilling addition to the ambience as if her guttural, spine crushing growls and thorough stage patrol of hardcore stomps weren’t inspiring the sign of the horns by every hand… or at least every hand not clutching a bourbon and coke.

Between this years Rock 1500 Countdown and their current headlining tour, Blindspott picked up exactly where they left off eleven years ago – and the fans came bursting from the woodwork before a trademark Blindspott record scratch could reach their ears. Playing for a crowd of 2000 (their biggest headliner in Auckland yet), nostalgia flooded the floor more than spilt beer; classic tracks from both their three-time platinum self-titled, (2003), and ‘End the Silence’ (2006). Vocalist Damian Alexander took centre stage in a gothic statement hood while drummer Shelton Woolright appeared shirtless, grooving and sending drumsticks flying past his bandmates into the exploding pit. Phone lights became stars of appreciation and remembrance during token slow song ‘Phlex’ just as crowd to crowd shoe missiles were a symbol of enthusiasm (did someone say reunion shoey?), during amped and fierce classics ‘Yours Truly’ and ‘Nil By Mouth’.

Blindspott’s versatility between nu-metal, rapcore and songs to belt with your mates on Crate Day fills a gap in every heart – proven by tonight’s age range of eighteen to eighty. Whether it was the power of a home show, sentimentality or excitement of what’s to come (we’re counting on you, boys. No pressure), Blindspott matched their fans buzz and met it with gratitude – human, passionate and as always, absolutely hitting the mark since 1997.

Were you there at the Logan Campbell Centre for this hard rocking comeback show? Or have you seen Blindspott perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.